Indian culture is all around us

To the editor:

Although last week's Speak Out caller was quick to consign Native Americans to the "dustbin of history" and probably would not recognize us without feathers, moccasins and war paint, we are alive and well in the United States today.

Reservation Indians face high unemployment and substandard housing, education and medical care. But many Indians were never enrolled and live, work and pay our taxes in mainstream America. We are your neighbors, doctors, lawyers, teachers, mechanics, farmers and service people.

Despite "dustbin" author's claim that the average American can go for years without seeing or thinking about the real American Indian civilization, contributions of Native Americans surround us and include agricultural products, healing products and practices, personal hygiene practices and ideas of individual liberty and personal equality. These concepts have gained acceptance around the world.

While Europe stagnated in the Dark Ages, American societies developed food crops and healing processes, built populous cities and created advanced mathematical and calendar systems. What began in 1492 was, as stated, rape -- the rape of a hemisphere and its peoples as conquerors stole lands, enslaved Indians, spread disease and practiced genocide in the name of profit and manifest destiny.

New World societies crumbled in the face of the diseases and brute strength of European powers. Rather than honoring defeated peoples by naming sports teams after them, let us respect and learn from them.

I commend the university for changing its mascot and urge national and local teams to do the same.

LINDA CLARK NASH

Jackson